Patient Support

ABSTRACT

A patient support structure including a unit having at least two defined shaped zones ( 30, 32 ) inflatable from a deflated condition in order to modify the topography of the support. One of the zones ( 30 ) is larger than the other ( 32 ) so that inflation of the larger zone lifts a patient to one side (towards the smaller zone  32 ) and the inflated smaller zone supports the patient and prevents the patient from slipping off the support structure. In a more preferred embodiment, the support structure comprises two units, each having at least two defined shaped inflatable zones ( 30, 32 ), the larger zone 30 of each unit being in opposed configuration and the units being inflatable independently of one another so that a patient can be lifted to one side or the other side according to which unit is inflated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to patient support and inparticular to support of patients in preferred positions for medicalexamination, surgical operations and the like, particularly but notexclusively suitable for use in operating theatres.

[0002] Prior Art

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,781 describes patient turning apparatuscomprising an inflatable mattress consisting of two independentlyinflatable halves. The patient lies in the centre of the mattress and,if he wishes to turn over, one of the inflatable halves can be inflatedto change the topography of the mattress and aid the patient in turningin the desired direction. However, such apparatus is too large andcumbersome for use in an operating theatre to enable a surgeon, forexample to manipulate an anaesthetised patient. Further, there would bea real danger of the patient simply sliding off the mattress (andpossibly off the bed) unless substantial care is taken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a patientsupport structure including a unit having at least two defined shapedzones inflatable from a deflated condition in order to modify thetopography of the support, one of said zones being larger than theother.

[0005] The larger inflatable zone is intended to lift or otherwisemanipulate or change the position of a patient, while the smaller zonesupports the patient and prevents the patient from slipping off thesupport structure.

[0006] The at least two inflatable zones are preferably connectedtogether by a track defining an air flow path therebetween.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the patient support structurecomprises two units as defined in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention, the units being arranged such that the respectivelarger zones are in opposed configuration, and the units are inflatableindependently of one another.

[0008] The two units are preferably secured to a base mat, which isbeneficially flexible, opposing edges of which are preferably providedwith handle members and/or means for securing the opposing edgestogether when the base mat is in a folded configuration.

[0009] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides adisposable patient support structure including at least one definedshaped zone inflatable from a deflated condition in order to modify thetopography of the support.

[0010] The support structure of either of the two aspects of theinvention preferably includes non-inflatable zones.

[0011] Desirably, the support structure of the second aspect of theinvention includes a plurality of discrete inflatable zones, preferablyrespectively spaced, beneficially by non-inflatable zones or regions.Respective discrete inflatable zones are preferably inflatableindependently of one another.

[0012] The inflatable zone or zones of the patient support structure ofeither of the two aspects of the present invention is/are desirablyarranged to produce or induce an inclined topography area when inflated.In a preferred embodiment the inclined topography area includes aleading edge at a position toward a central axis of the supportstructure.

[0013] The inflatable zones preferably comprise membrane or sheetmaterial (typically formed into pockets or pouches) which is resilientlyinflatable (elastically deformable).

[0014] In one embodiment the support structure comprises a layerstructure comprising a base layer, an air distribution layer and a leveldefining the inflatable zone or zones. In one embodiment the leveldefining the inflatable zone or zones may comprise a mask sheetincluding apertures, the mask sheet laying adjacent a layer ofresiliently flexible sheet. In operation, pressurised air causes zonesof the sheet to inflate through the apertures in the mask sheet. Themask sheet is typically more rigid than the resiliently flexible sheet.

[0015] It will be appreciated that the material inflated by thepressurised air is air impermeable.

[0016] The present invention extends to patient support apparatuscomprising:

[0017] i) a patient support structure as defined in accordance with thefirst or the second aspect of the present invention;

[0018] ii) gas supply means arranged to supply gas to inflate theinflatable zones of the support structure; and,

[0019] iii) control means arranged to control supply of the gas from thegas supply means to the inflatable zones of the support structure.

[0020] The control means is beneficially operable to control the gassupply to permit switching of supply between respective discreteinflatable zones of the support structure. The control means isbeneficially operable to control the gas supply to permit simultaneousof supply to a plurality of respective discrete inflatable zones of thesupport structure. The control means is preferably operable tofacilitate controlled deflation of inflated zones. Typically the controlmeans comprises a valve arrangement, such as a pneumatic valvearrangement.

[0021] According to a further aspect, the invention provides a method ofsupporting a human or animal body, the method comprising:

[0022] i) positioning the body in a prone, supine or lateral position ona patient support structure as defined in accordance with the first orthe second aspect of the present invention;

[0023] ii) initiating gas supply means to supply gas to inflate the oneor more inflatable zones of the support structure in order to modify thetopography of the support and move the body from the initial positioninto a different desired orientation.

[0024] The invention will now be further described in specificembodiments by way of example only, and with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment ofpatient support structure and system according to the invention;

[0026]FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic side views of the arrangement of FIG.1 showing inflatable pouches (zones) in alternative inflatedconfigurations;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of an a second exemplaryembodiment of a patient support structure according to the invention;

[0028]FIGS. 5 and 6 correspond to the views of FIGS. 2 and 3 but inrelation to the support structure of FIG. 4;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of a third exemplaryembodiment of a patient support structure according to the invention;

[0030]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of apatient support structure according to the invention;

[0031]FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a patient support structureaccording to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a patient support structureaccording to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 11 is a side view of the patient support structure of FIG.10, when in the folded configuration; and

[0034]FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the patient supportstructure of FIG. 10, illustrating its layered construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, thereis shown a patient support structure (generally designated 1) comprisinga flat polymer base mat 2 (which may be rigid or flexible), to whichinflatable pouches 3, 4 are secured by adhesive bonding or welding tothe base layer 2.

[0036] Pouches 3, 4 are resiliently flexible such that they tend torevert to their deflated position when the supply of pressurising air isswitched off. Pouches 3, 4 are shaped such that, when inflated, atapering wedge is formed having a surface extending upwardly away from aleading edge positioned towards the transverse axis of the mat. Pouches3, 4 are in opposed configuration such that a patient lying across themat would be lifted to one side or the other depending upon which of thepouches is inflated.

[0037] A pneumatic air supply is ducted into the pouches 3, 4 via an airline 5 which passes through a pneumatic control arrangement 6 whichincludes pneumatic valves to distribute the compressed air via supplylines 7, 8. Pneumatic control arrangement 6 may be used to controlswitching of the air supply via lines 7, 8 to the desired pouch 3, 4. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the respective pouch 3, 4 is in thedeflated condition, the surface of the pouch lies substantially flushwith the flexible base layer mat 2. When expanded, the support surfaceof the relevant pouch stands proud of the base layer mat 2.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6, there is shown a more complexarrangement of a support structure according to the invention. In themulti-layer arrangement shown, the support structure comprises aplurality of layers 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114. Base layer 109comprises a flexible polymer (or rigid polymer) layer. Layer 110 isconfigured with a pre-slotted or cutout track 108, 107 which has mouthportions 115, 116 through which the compressed air is supplied into thestructure. The tracks 107, 108 define air flow paths for inflation.Layer 110 is sandwiched between the base layer 109 and an overlayer 111which includes a plurality of apertures 119 arranged to overlay portionsof the slotted tracks 107, 108, and also be aligned with apertures in anabove laying mask sheet 113 (as will be described in more detail below).

[0039] Overlaying layer 111 is a layer 112 of flexible, resilientlyexpandable sheet (typically latex). Layer 113 overlays layer 112 and issubstantially more rigid than layer 112. Layer 113 comprises a masklayer including a predetermined arrangement of shaped aperture zones104. Layers 109, 110, 111, 112 and 113 are secured together (typicallyby bonding with adhesive or welding) to form a unitary structure. Layer114 comprises a flexible conformable sheet which overlays the bondedstructure and is secured along a bonded centre line 117 extending in thedirection of the transverse axis of the structure.

[0040] In operation, air is supplied to the bonded layer structure viainlets 115, 116 leading into tracks 107, 108. The pressurised air isdirected upwardly through the structure via apertures 119 such thatrelevant portions of the resiliently expandable layer 112 are forced(stretched) upwardly through the overlaying aperture zones 104 of masklayer 113, thereby forcing upwardly the relevant portion of theoverlaying flexible conformable sheet 114. The ducted air therebychanges the topography of the patient supporting surface (sheet 114overlying mask layer 113) dependent upon the control of the air supplyto the structure.

[0041] The aperture zones 104 of mask layer 113 are graded in size in adirection outwardly from the transverse axis of the structure such thatthe size of the aperture increases with distance outwardly from thetransverse axis. This provides that, when air is ducted to the relevantside of the structure, the flexible expandable sheet 112 causes thetopography to be deformed to form an upwardly inclined supportconfiguration extending from the relatively narrow portion (leadingedge) proximate the transverse axis of the structure, to a relativelymore upstanding portion toward the outer edge of the structure. This isshown most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0042] Typically, as described in relation to the support structure ofFIG. 1, compressed air is directed via a relevant pneumatic controlarrangement to enable air to be conducted to the opposed sides of thesupport structure as required.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a further embodiment of apatient support structure 201 according to the invention. In thearrangement shown a cover sheet 211 and base layer 209 are welded abouttheir peripheral margins to one another, and also along a weld line 225in the transverse axial direction of the structure. Supply lines 207,208 supply compressed air to the respective sealed zones between coversheet 211 and base layer 209. Cover sheet 211 includes air communicationapertures 219 permitting compressed air to pass upwardly into shapedresiliently inflatable (typically elastomer) pouches 203, 204, 303, 304.Cover sheet 214 overlies the layer of pouches, and is secured to sheet225 along a weld line 217 in the transverse axial direction of thestructure. In the same way as for previously described embodiments, apneumatic control arrangement 206 is used to direct compressed air forinflation to the relevant portions of the structure.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, there is shown a patientsupport structure according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. The support structure comprises two inflatable pouches 30, 32which are connected together by a track 34 defining an air flow pathbetween the pouches 30, 32. A pneumatic air supply is ducted into thepouches 30, 32 via an air line 36. Pouches 30, 32 are resilientlyflexible such that they tend to revert to their deflated position whenthe supply of pressurising air is switched off.

[0045] As shown, one of the inflatable pouches 30 is substantially widerthan the other inflatable pouch 32. In use, when pressurised air isintroduced into the support structure, both pouches 30, 32 inflate. Thepart of the patient's body required to be manipulated during surgerylies between the two pouches 30, 32. Inflation of the larger pouch 30causes the body part to be lifted to one side (towards the smaller pouch32) while the inflated smaller pouch 32 supports the body part andprevents it from slipping off the support structure. The structure canbe turned around to lift the patient to the other side.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, in a preferred embodiment,the support structure comprises two units such as that described withreference to FIG. 8. As shown, the units are preferably in opposedconfiguration and connected together, generally centrally. The units areinflatable independently of one another, such that a patient lyingacross the structure would be lifted to one side or the other dependingupon which of the units is inflated. An air line36 a, 36 b is providedfor each of the units, the air lines 36 a, 36 b passing through apneumatic control arrangement (not shown) which may be used to controlswitching of the pneumatic air supply to the desired unit.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12 of the drawings, the arrangementdescribed with reference to FIG. 9 of the drawings is secured (byadhesive bonding, welding, or the like) to a flat polymer base mat 38,which may be rigid but is preferably flexible. Handles 40 are providedon opposing edges of the base mat 38, such that when the structure isfolded in half, it is easily transportable (see FIG. 11).

[0048] In the case of all of the described embodiments of the invention,the support structure may be made of relatively thin plastics material,or the like, so as to provide disposable arrangements.

[0049] The patient support structure may be used in situations where thepatient needs to be moved from a prone position, for example prior to orduring surgery, for medical examination (where a patient is for exampledisabled) and for other therapeutic treatments. The pneumatic inflationarrangement is highly controllable.

[0050] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above byway of examples only, and it will be apparent to a person skilled in theart that modifications and variations can be made to the describedembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention asclaimed.

1. A patient support structure including a unit having at least two defined shaped zones inflatable from a deflated condition in order to modify the topography of the support, one of said zones being larger than the other.
 2. A patient support structure according to claim 1 , wherein said inflatable zones are connected together by a track defining an air flow path therebetween.
 3. A patient support structure according to claim 1 , comprising two units, each unit having at least two defined shaped zones inflatable from a deflated condition and one of said zones in each unit being larger than the other respective zone, the units being arranged such that the respective larger zones are in opposed configuration, and said units being inflatable independently of one another.
 4. A patient support structure according to claim 3 , wherein said two units are secured to a base mat.
 5. A patient support structure according to claim 4 , wherein said base mat is flexible.
 6. A patient support structure according to claim 5 ,wherein opposing edges of said base mat are provided with handle members and/or means for securing said opposing edges together.
 7. A disposable patient support structure including at least one defined shaped zone inflatable from a deflated condition in order to modify the topography of the support.
 8. A patient support structure according to claim 1 or claim 7 , wherein said support structure includes at least one non-inflatable zone.
 9. A patient support structure according to claim 7 , including a plurality of discrete inflatable zones.
 10. A patient support structure according to claim 9 , wherein said inflatable zones are respectively spaced.
 11. A patient support structure according to claim 10 , wherein said inflatable zones are respectively spaced by one or more non-inflatable zones or regions.
 12. A patient support structure according to claim 9 , wherein said discrete inflatable zones are inflatable independently of one another.
 13. A patient support structure according to claim 1 or claim 7 , wherein at least one of said inflatable zones is arranged to produce or induce an inclined topography area when inflated.
 14. A patient support structure according to claim 13 , wherein said inclined topography area includes a leading edge of a position toward a central axis of said support structure.
 15. A patient support structure according to claim 1 or claim 7 , wherein the inflatable zone or zones comprise membrane or sheet material (typically formed into one or more pockets or pouches) which is resiliently inflatable (elastically deformable).
 16. A patient support structure according to claim 1 or claim 7 , comprising a layer structure including a base layer, an air distribution layer and a level defining the inflatable zone or zones.
 17. A patient support structure according to claim 16 , wherein the level defining the inflatable zone or zones comprises a mask sheet including apertures, the mask sheet laying adjacently to a layer of resiliently flexible sheet.
 18. A patient support structure according to claim 17 , wherein said mask sheet is more rigid than the resiliently flexible sheet.
 19. Patient support apparatus comprising: i) a patient support structure according to claim 1 or claim 7 ; ii) gas supply means arranged to supply gas to inflate the inflatable zones of the support structure; and iii) control means arranged to control supply of the gas from the gas supply means to the at least one inflatable zone of the support structure.
 20. Patient support apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said control means is operable to control the gas supply to permit switching of supply between respective discrete inflatable zones of the support structure.
 21. Patient support apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said control means is operable to control the gas supply to permit simultaneous supply to a plurality of respective discrete inflatable zones of the support structure.
 22. Patient support apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said control means is operable to facilitate controlled deflation of inflated zones.
 23. Patient support apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said control means comprises a valve arrangement, such as a pneumatic valve arrangement.
 24. A method of supporting a human or animal body, the method comprising: i) positioning the body in a prone, supine or lateral position on a support structure according to claim 1 or claim 7 ; and ii) initiating gas supply means to supply gas to inflate the one or more inflatable zones of the support structure in order to modify the topography of the support structure and move the body from the initial position into a different desired orientation. 